Dr Susannah Eliott: CEO

Susannah has a PhD in cell biology from Macquarie University, a Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Technology, Sydney and more than 18 years of practical experience in science communication with the science-media nexus as her primary focus. In 2000, Susannah moved to Stockholm, Sweden as Communications Director for the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), an international network of scientists working on global environmental change. She moved to Adelaide in September 2005 to help establish the Australian Science Media Centre. In 2010, she chaired the Expert Working Group on Science and the Media for the Federal Government. For a more detailed bio of Susannah Eliott, click here.

Lyndal Byford: Director of News and Partnerships

After completing an Honours degree in Biotechnology, Lyndal joined the Shell Questacon Science Circus and promoted science throughout regional Australia. She completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Science Communication and went on to work at a range of science museums and as a specialist representative within the pharmaceutical industry. Moving to the UK in 2005, Lyndal co-ordinated the education programs at the Grant Museum of Zoology before joining the UK Science Media Centre as engineering press officer in 2006. She returned to Australia in November 2007.

Nigel Kerby: Project Manager

Nigel has more than 15 years experience in the media having worked with the Seven, Nine and Ten Networks in areas including programming, publicity and promotions. An ongoing interest in science led Nigel to pursue further studies in March 2004 and he completed a Bachelor of Science in Biodiversity and Conservation at Flinders University before joining the AusSMC when it first opened in late 2005.

Dr Joseph Milton: Senior Media Officer

Joe Milton is an evolutionary biologist who, after studying the evolution of plants for ten years at various Scottish universities, made a move into journalism. Since then he has written for the Financial Times, Nature and New Scientist, among others. Joe joined the London Science Media Centre in 2010, where he was Senior Press Officer for Mental Health, before taking up the position of Senior Media Officer at the Australian Science Media Centre in July 2012.

Marilyn Arnold: Office Manager

Marilyn joined the AusSMC as Office Manager in August 2006. She has a BA in Psychology and Sociology, a Diploma in Business Management and Marketing and more than 18 years experience in the areas of office administration, finance, HR, marketing and event management. Previous experience has been in developing small to medium size not-for-profit associations in her role as Executive Officer within the food and wine sector.

Olivia Henry: Media Officer

Olivia has a bachelor’s degrees in biomedical science and media (journalism), specialising in microbiology, immunology and anatomical sciences. Olivia’s studies took her to Japan and Spain, with scholarships for diplomatic relations and video journalism, respectively. Back home, her skills led her to intern at Australia’s Science Channel and present science shows for kids with SciWorld. Before joining the AusSMC in July 2018, Olivia spent eight years with Fairfax Media and worked in a range of other media, including television (Channel 44 Adelaide), radio, film, freelance writing and photography. Olivia is also an award-winning short filmmaker and currently the program coordinator, host, producer and panel operator for the Night Shift on Radio Adelaide.

Ben Kaldi: Science Information Officer

Ben Kaldi has a Bachelor of Media Arts in Animation, digital and web design. Ben completed a diploma in 3D animation and went on to collect numerous digital design short courses. He joined the Australian Science Media Centre in September 2014 as a Science Information Officer to help with the Science Media Exchange (Scimex) project, and assisted with getting it ready for its public launch in early 2015. Ben currently splits his time between helping the AusSMC media team and working on Scimex.

Steven Mew: Supporter Relations Officer

Steven has bachelor degrees in Journalism and Science, specialising in ecology and entomology. During his studies, he assisted in the identification of extinct parasitic wasps from amber fossils, and undertook international media studies in 2015 at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. Steven is co-host, presenter, and panel operator for the Radio Adelaide late night community radio program ‘The Night Shift’ and has experience as a laboratory technician in South Australia’s wine industry. Steven commenced with the AusSMC in late 2017.

Annie Hastwell: Journalist (Part time)

Annie Hastwell has degrees in teaching, linguistics and journalism and has worked in radio for the past twenty years. She spent several years as an ABC broadcaster and producer in Darwin and Adelaide local radio and now produces features for Radio National and also runs a national current affairs program for the community radio sector. In her freelance work she pursues a special interest in environmental issues.

Australian Science Media Centre

Corporate and background information on the AusSMC can be found on this site.

For all news content, visit our science news portal for Australia and New Zealand at Scimex.org